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Purple Gabardine 1940’s Trousers [Simplicity 3688]

Hello friends!

I told you that I’ve been sewing pants and indeed I have.  This is the second of three retro 1940’s pant patterns from Simplicity that I’ve tested out and definitely my favorite so far — Simplicity 3688.

Source: Simplicity Patterns

Simplicity 3088 is a retro 1940’s re-issue that has a wide size range (why don’t ALL of the patterns have this?!) from 10-28W.  I purchased this pattern when it came out, mostly as I am a collector of vintage re-issues.  I wasn’t really into it and didn’t think that I’d ever sew it.  However, I’ve been working on my fall/winter capsule wardrobe for two years now and it still is not where I’d like it to be as I don’t have many cold weather options in my closet.  I’ve finally figured out what was missing — PANTS.  Now, I really am a dresses girl and when it’s warm that’s all I care to wear, but when it’s cold I live my life in leggings when I’m hanging around the house.  I’m wearing them right now actually.  TBH, it’s just easier and it’s warmer.  When I go out I usually put on tights, but a lot of the time that doesn’t seem to be warm enough.  Enter the retro pant pattern — the missing piece to the puzzle.

What I love about 1940’s wide leg pants is that I can wear a slim-fitting top with them and feel good about it.  I love skinny jeans, but I don’t love having to wear a long top to feel comfortable.  I feel better having a defined waist.  I imagine that coincides with my favored fit and flare dress aesthetic.

I wasn’t aware what I was missing until I sewed my first pair of 1940’s style pants and now I want more.  MORE!

These trousers are made out of a wool/poly blend gabardine that I had in my stash.  I purchased it to make a dress but I think I prefer it transformed into these pants.  I made a 26/28W, grading between sizes following my measurements.  I made ZERO adjustments.  Not even to the length.  Granted, these have a narrow hem when the suggested hem is wider, but still NO ADJUSTMENTS.  The trousers have a side lapped zip with a top button closure and I finished all of my seams on my serger.  The waistband has self-interfacing.

This pattern has been reviewed a lot on Pattern Review and when you google it, you can find many examples.  I question why I never tried sewing them before.  Duh! I’m a dresses girl!  Well, everyone can change, right?

My next version of this pattern is going to be JEANS!  I already have the selvedge denim to make a snazzy retro pair with all of the bells and whistles.  The hardest part is always the fit, so since I seem to have that down, I’m going to make the jeans of my dreams.

Happy Sewing!

  • Trousers:  Simplicity 3688 in wool/poly blend gabardine, made by me
  • Sweater:  Eddie Bauer
  • Shoes:  Bass Weejuns
  • Purse:  Vintage 1940’s/50’s
  • Earrings:  Vintage 1950’s/60’s from my grandma’s jewelry box
  • Brooch:  Redbird Vintage Box
  • Lipstick:  Besame 1931 Carmine (affiliate link)

Comments

  1. You did a really great job on those pants! Nice to meet other Day and Night Dress Ambassadors❤ I can’t wait to see your creations.

  3. this is my TNT pants pattern. and your pants look amazing on you as well! now i kinda want some purple pants of my own!

  4. Tanya, you did a wonderful job on the fit! The picture of you from the back tells me you really know how to fit a pair of pants. And that purple gabardine is just beautiful. Doesn’t it hang just perfectly? You can’t beat it. Everything you do is so well done. Keep it up.

    • Thanks, Susan! I can’t say that I’m a master pants fitter — I just followed the measurement chart and sewed them up. 🙂

  7. They are gorgeous!!! I feel the same way about pants and dresses as you do. Pants are a must in cold weather for me (plus I’m not a cold weather person to begin with, so this upstate NY weather is impossible for me) but I am too self conscious about my stomach to wear skinny jeans with regular tops.
    I always have 40s pants on my sewing list but never quite get to them. Did you line yours?

  8. Those look amazing on you! I’ve been wanting to make a pair of “denim slacks” from this pattern, but wasn’t sure how well it would work and look on a plus size gal, but now I’m inspired. Can’t wait to see your jeans in this pattern.

    • Thanks, Wendy! I don’t think I saw a photo of this pattern on a plus size gal until I sewed them up. I did see a denim version though and they looked awesome!

  9. What a beautiful pair of pants! I do not have many pants in my closet and its hard picking a pattern that would look right! WOW you look great

    • Thanks, Irma! It sure is difficult picking out a pants pattern as you never know how they’re going to fit on your body.

  11. Gorgeous trousers and such a great fit.
    Like you I’m a dresses girl for the most part, so when it’s
    chillier but not freezing I wear heavier weight dresses with
    leggings instead of tights, socks to match my leggings.
    This year I’ve moved away from my black leggings and
    now have them matching my dresses, wine, deep green,
    purple, navy ect.

  12. OMG- love these on you! So classy and such a great color. Now I feel like I need some wide-legged pants…

  13. Tanya! These pants are gorgeous. I love this silhouette. And they are lovely on you and very elegant as well as slimming. Purple is my neutral color. And it suits you well too!

    • Thank you! I truly understand why a lot of slacks are made out of gabardine. I look forward to seeing how this pattern works in a heavier fabric.

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Mrs. Hughes: A retro inspired, vintage garment sewing and plus-size dressmaking blog by Tanya Maile Hughes.